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The Oakland A's and Chicago White Sox swung a deal earlier today - a rather surprising one at that. The A's dealt slugging first baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher to the South Siders for 3 prospects - pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Fautino De Los Santos, and outfielder Ryan Sweeney.

The switch-hitting Swisher has been a key member of the A's since the 2005 season, when he hit 21 homeruns and drove in 74 runs, according to baseballreference.com. Swisher has the ability to play all three outfield positions, along with first base. In 2007, Swisher smashed 22 longballs and drove in 78 runs while hitting at a .262 clip (injuries, and a poor A's team diminished the talent Swisher has in his game).

Ryan Sweeney is the only member of the trio of players the A's received with any major league experience, playing in parts of the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the White Sox - though he has yet to acheive his full potential.

In four minor leauge seasons, Gonzalez has started 91 games, and sports a 24-17 record with a nifty 3.54 ERA. He has also struck out 584 batters in his time on the farm. Gonzalez, along with De Los Santos were considered the top pitching prospects in the Sox organization.

In other news, the St. Louis Cardinals have signed pitcher Matt Clement to a 1-year contract. Clement is desperatley trying to ressurect a career that has been absolutley derailed by injuries. From 1999-2005, while playing with the Padres, Marlins, Cubs and Red Sox, Clement started at least 30 games each season. But in 2006, he started only 12 games, and did not throw a pitch in 2007. Reports are saying Clement should be ready to go by Spring Training, as the the 33-year old tries to revitalize what was once a promising career, with a new club.